A position as non-tenured Associate Professor in archaeometry is available from 1 May 2027 until 31 March 2030 at the Department of Physics Chemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, SDU in Odense.
About the research group and the project
The research group at which this position is posted is called CHART (Cultural Heritage and Archaeometric Research Team). Cultural Heritage and archaeometric research deal with investigations of samples originating from all sorts of culturally important artefacts: those procured by archaeologists in excavations, medieval buildings, handmade artefacts of all kinds, pieces of art, written materials. Only, the objects must have survived and be preserved today to some tangible degree. The study of cultural heritage is not exclusively for the humanities. In the last four or five decades, natural sciences have been increasingly involved in untangling the events of the past by studying cultural heritage objects to an ever-increasing degree of complexity.
In CHART we take up the challenge of investigating cultural heritage objects on an international level using chemistry and physics. We aim at making a difference on the international scene by inventing new analytical methodologies, investigating objects of national and international interest, and by always securing collaboration between natural science and the humanities.
We do not claim to produce final or stand-alone answers; instead, we strive to achieve solutions together with colleagues from the humanities. In our research laboratories we daily cross the line between natural science and the humanities.
The present position is aimed at executing the already financed CIPP Center (Center for the Interior of Parchment and Paper), which involves the investigation of the Dead Sea Scrolls (https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/fakulteterne/naturvidenskab/nyheder-2026/erc-dead-sea-scrolls-archaeometry), the development of new methods for analysing paper and parchment, and a new project on poisonous books conducted in collaboration with the Royal Academy in Copenhagen, Pisa University, and the Library at SDU (https://www.nature.com/articles/s40494-019-0334-2).
About the candidate
The successful candidate is expected to hold a PhD in archaeometry, analytical chemistry, or a closely related field, with a research profile centred on the application of analytical and physical-chemical methods to archaeological and heritage materials. A demonstrated expertise in a wide range of archaeomaterials (e.g., ceramics, bricks, pigments, and parchments) spanning diverse chrono-cultural contexts will be considered an asset.
Tasks
- The candidate must partake in the execution of the research at the CIPP Center conducted by the CHART research group and contribute to the overall research theme of CHART.
- The candidate must be able to support the ongoing collaboration with ADBOU at the SDU Health Faculty.
- The candidate is expected to obtain external funding for independent research, to foster internal collaboration at the Department, and to build and lead an internationally recognized research group.
- The candidate should contribute to public outreach and communication activities.
- The candidate should teach (broadly) in degree programmes at the department, as well as participate in departmental administration, strategy development and educational programme development.
- The candidate is expected to mentor undergraduate, graduate, and research students.
Skills
- The candidate must have a strong and independent research profile, documented by an excellent track record of peer-reviewed publications in international journals. Hands-on experience with advanced analytical chemical instrumentation, experience with luminescence-based dating methods, and a demonstrated ability to develop or adapt analytical chemical methods will be highly valued.
- Experience with international collaboration, of partnerships with museums and cultural-heritage institutions, and of collaboration with the private sector will be an advantage.
- The successful candidate should have a strong teaching record. This includes experience with teaching courses within a chemistry curriculum at bachelor and master level as well as experience of project supervision across all levels, from bachelor to PhD. Experience with interdisciplinary, practical, and laboratory-based teaching, and with modern teaching methods, e-learning, flipped classroom, and online learning methods will be an advantage. A teaching CV should be included in the proposal. Teaching at the department includes first year teaching held in Danish, and the successful applicant may be expected to be involved in first year teaching. However, teaching in English is accepted from the start of employment, and the successful applicant is expected to learn basic Danish within 5 years. The university offers language courses.
For further information about the position please contact professor Emeritus Kaare Lund Rasmussen, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Email: klr@sdu.dk
The candidate will be part of the chemistry section.
Application deadline: 15. November 2026 at 23:59 hours local Danish time
Please see the full call, including how to apply, on www.sdu.dk